Inside Look

Grace’s interest in photography coincided quite inadvertently with her increasing loss of vision. She has 40-45% vision in one eye only. I asked her if the title of her blog, “Sight Unseen,” was a reference to her own difficulties with sight. Her answer took me by surprise. “I thought it would make a great title for a mystery novel but come to think of it, it also refers to the way I shoot my pictures. I can’t see very well through the viewfinder, so I just point the camera at a scene I think will look interesting and shoot.” Her technique has remarkable results. She has captured spontaneous moments between her daughter and grandson, the incongruity in a Palermo storefront, a warm connection inside a high-tech store, and much more. What inspires her? “I like to take pictures of things that are quirky, or beautiful, or different,” she says. “I carry my camera with me wherever I go.” I for one look forward to seeing more of Grace’s delightful world.

“We aspire not just to be different from other schools, not even just to lead, but to show a new way.” This quote by Bernard T. Ferrari, dean of Johns Hopkins Carey Business School, introduces a new positioning concept we developed for the school’s Global MBA program. Lean copy and sumptuous photography emphasize Carey Business School’s commitment to educating business leaders who are prepared to tackle the most pressing issues of our time.

Powerful imagery and a highly flexible template provide a framework for a wide range of materials we designed for Johns Hopkins’ new capital campaign, “Rising to the Challenge.” Shown are a foil embossed pocket folder, the overall case statement, case statements that are specific to each school and division, and one-page insert sheets. Many of these items are designed for print-on-demand so that gift officers can order the right number of brochures with their own contact information printed on them.

GCF created a highly personalized, fabric-bound book with hand-stitched pages to honor Dean Edward D. Miller, M.D., upon his retirement after 40 years of leadership and service at Johns Hopkins. Dean Miller’s indelible legacy of both physical and cultural changes will impact the future of the institution, its students, and its patients for decades to come. The book’s first several spreads showcase photos and quotes about Dean Miller’s career. The remaining pages display personal messages from the dean’s close friends and colleagues, along with their signatures. Additional perfect-bound copies of the book were prepared for distribution.

In March, Brenda Foster will be speaking at the UCDA Design Summit. Interaction between designers and clients can be frustrating, unproductive, strained, at times even antagonistic. Clearly, it doesn’t need to be this way. Clients and designers are both focused on creating success, but they approach the problem from two different corners. Brenda’s workshop, Dangerous liaisons: Improving designer/client relationships, will provide insights into the client/designer dynamic and ways to create a smoother path to a shared goal. Topics include gaining respect, getting the attention of the gatekeepers, building trust across the generation gap, appreciating differences, and working with difficult people. Brenda has more than 23 years’ experience on the front lines with both clients and designers and has learned how to successfully mediate between the two. Registration is now open.

Welcome to Cram Now, our new monthly newsletter that will replace Cram Quarterly. This new format allows us to publish articles more frequently while giving our readers an opportunity to comment on or share stories. Enjoy!